Does anyone have info regarding F units, RS's, etc., being used on freights on the PA Branch? I used to watch the freights from Perth Amboy to South Plainfield during the early 1960's and, even though they were quite long, I only witnessed single EMD and Alco switchers being used. I did see an RS3 at Perth Amboy in the mid-60's, but never saw them on the road. There were two symbol freights right at the end of steam.... just wondering if road power was ever used.
A friend who worked for the LVRR and who resides in NJ related the following:
During the 1960s into the 1970s EMD switch locos were utilized on the Perth Amboy branch, notably SW9 and NW2 units. Most jobs used single units but on occasion two units were mu'ed for the 8:00 A.M. Raritan River Br. and 9:00 P.M. PR-1 jobs.
During the period 1973-1975 an occasional Alco RS2/3 was assigned to the Raritan River Br. 8:00 A.M. or to the PR-1 9:00 P.M. to S. Plainfield-west. Tonnage on the PR-1 job sometimes required the 3:00 P.M. crew as helpers on the head end as far as Raritan Jct.